What does an electrician do and where can you find work in Flanders?

What exactly does an electrician do?

An electrician installs electrical installations. Think wiring, switches, sockets, distribution boards and lighting. You work in homes, offices, schools or factories. You read plans, carry out measurements and ensure everything works safely according to the AREI.

Besides installation, you also repair faults. A socket that doesn't work, a fuse that blows, a machine that stops: you find out what's wrong and fix it. Maintenance is also part of the job. You check installations and replace worn parts before problems arise.

What types of electricians are there?

The job varies greatly depending on the sector. These are the most common profiles for an electrician in Flanders:

• Residential electrician: works in houses and apartments, often on new builds or renovations. You install basic installations, home automation and charging stations.
• Tertiary electrician: works in offices, hospitals, schools and retail premises. Here the focus is on larger distribution boards, emergency lighting and fire detection.
• Industrial electrician: maintains machines and production lines in factories. You work with controls, motors and automation.
• Maintenance electrician: carries out preventive maintenance and resolves faults on existing installations.

What do you earn as an electrician in Flanders?

The wage depends on your experience, specialisation and region. A starting electrician typically earns between 2,400 and 2,800 euros gross per month. With a few years of experience, that rises to 3,000 to 3,600 euros gross. As a self-employed electrician, you set your own hourly rate, often between 35 and 55 euros excluding VAT.

In regions with a lot of construction activity, such as Antwerp and Brussels, wages are slightly higher. Night or weekend work brings extra premiums. Flexi-jobbers earn additional income without taxes on the first 12 euros per hour, but that system changes regularly. Always check the current conditions.

What training and skills do you need?

You can become an electrician through a full-time secondary education programme or through dual learning. SYNTRA also offers evening and weekend courses for those who want to retrain. A diploma is not always required, but a certificate or proof of professional competence opens more doors.

Important skills: technical insight, accuracy, problem-solving thinking and customer friendliness. You often work alone at customers' homes, so a professional attitude is important.

Where can you find work as an electrician in Flanders?

Demand for electricians remains high throughout Flanders. Especially in urban areas such as Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent, there are many vacancies. West Flanders and Limburg are also constantly looking for technicians for residential and industrial projects.

You can choose a permanent contract, a temporary assignment or a flexi-job. Many construction companies recruit all year round, but the peak is in January, when new sites start. In July, during the construction holiday, demand is lower.

How do you quickly find a job that suits you?

On our site, you choose your role and region. You immediately see the wage, hours and distance to your door. No lengthy registrations: you enter your details once and we match you with construction bosses who fit your profile. Whether you're a school leaver, experienced tradesperson or flexi-jobber, there's always a vacancy open.

Apply spontaneously and receive targeted offers in your area.

Career progression opportunities as an electrician

If you start as an assistant electrician, you can grow into a team leader, site manager or project leader. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit start as self-employed. Specialising in home automation, solar panels or industrial automation increases your market value.

When is the best time to apply?

The construction sector has a clear seasonal peak. In January, many new projects start, causing the number of vacancies to rise to almost three times the annual average. July is traditionally quiet due to the construction holiday. If you apply in December or January, you have the most choice. But even outside that period, jobs are open, especially for maintenance profiles.

The salary of an electrician depends on experience, specialization, region, and employment status. A starting electrician as an employee usually earns between 2,200 and 2,600 euros gross per month. After five years of experience, that rises to 2,800 to 3,400 euros gross, depending on the sector and type of work.

Those who work in industry or specialize in automation often earn more than a residential electrician. In the chemical or petrochemical industry, salaries are higher due to shift premiums and hazardous working conditions. An electrician in a supervisory role such as crew leader or site supervisor can count on 3,500 to 4,500 euros gross per month.

In addition to the gross salary, as an employed electrician you often receive extra-legal benefits. Think of meal vouchers of 7 to 8 euros per working day, eco vouchers, a year-end bonus, hospitalization insurance, and sometimes a company car or mobility budget. In the construction sector (PC 124), these benefits are regulated through collective labor agreements.

As a self-employed electrician, you invoice an hourly rate between 35 and 55 euros excluding VAT. That rate covers not only your wage but also insurance, materials, travel, and social contributions. Net, you often keep 20 to 25 euros per hour, depending on your cost structure.

The region plays a role: in and around Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent, wages and rates are generally slightly higher than in West or East Flanders. This is due to the scarcity of technicians and the higher cost of living in large cities.

You can become an electrician through several paths. The shortest route is a full-time secondary education in Electricity in TSO or BSO. It takes six years and you obtain a secondary education diploma. Those who want to start working sooner choose a seventh specialization year or a vocational training at VDAB or Syntra.

VDAB offers electrician training at various locations in Flanders, including Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven and Hasselt. The training lasts on average six to nine months and combines theory with practice. You learn to pull cables, connect distribution boards, install lighting and troubleshoot faults. After the training you often receive a certificate that gives access to the labour market.

Syntra, the Flemish training organization for entrepreneurs, organizes electrician courses in evening or weekend classes. The program takes two to three years and leads to a certificate. You combine learning with working through an internship or apprenticeship. Syntra also focuses on self-employed professionals: after the entrepreneurship track you can start your own electrical business.

Evening school is popular for those who already work or want to change careers. Adult Education Centers (CVO) offer the residential electrician course, often with evening or Saturday classes. You pay registration fees, but the cost is lower than with private providers. After one to two years you have a certificate recognized by the Flemish government.

Dual learning combines working and studying from age 15 or 16. You work four days a week at a recognized construction company and attend school one day. This is ideal for young people who are practically oriented and want to earn a wage immediately. Demand for dual learners is high: many construction companies offer a permanent contract after obtaining the diploma.

Regardless of your training, you need several certificates to work as an electrician. The VCA certificate (Safety, Health and Environment Checklist for Contractors) is mandatory on most construction sites. For work on electrical installations, BA4 (warned person) or BA5 (skilled person) is often required. The AREI (General Regulations on Electrical Installations) is the legal basis for all electrical work in Belgium.

As an electrician, you usually start as an installer on site. After a few years of experience, you can grow into a team leader or site supervisor. Then you manage two to ten colleagues and monitor planning, budget and safety. A site supervisor earns 500 to 1,000 euros gross more per month than an installer.

Technical specialization opens doors to better-paid positions. Think of industrial automation (PLC controls), renewable energy (solar panels, heat pumps), home automation and building management systems. An electrician with knowledge of KNX or other home automation protocols is scarce and can often set their own rates.

Those interested in study and organization can become a project manager or estimator. An electrical project manager coordinates large sites, negotiates with suppliers and is the point of contact for the client. An estimator prepares quotes based on plans and bills of quantities. Both positions require a bachelor's degree in electromechanics or electricity, but some companies train internal people.

Becoming self-employed is a logical step after about ten years of experience. You often start with small jobs for private individuals and expand to SMEs or industry. A self-employed electrician has more freedom and earning potential, but also carries more risk: insurance, material stock, accounting and client acquisition fall under your responsibility.

Besides technical knowledge, several traits are decisive. Accuracy is essential: a wrong connection can cause fire or electrocution. Safety awareness is non-negotiable, especially on sites with high voltage or in industry. Problem-solving thinking helps you find and fix faults quickly. Customer focus is important for residential electricians who talk directly with residents. Good physical condition is necessary because you often kneel, climb and carry heavy cables.